Leaf Bags that Take a Licking

Cleaning leaves and fallen branches from the yard is no garden party, especially if your bag bursts or twigs poke through the plastic.

Is there a better lawn bag? To find out, the GH Institute textile experts put nine brands through strength- and puncture-resistant tests. The answer: Price alone doesn't indicate quality. Supermarket labels (Kroger, Safeway) and lawn bags sold in home centers (Ideal, Pro-Line) were just as durable as market leaders (Glad, Hefty and Arrow). Two brands, however, did stand out.

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Berkeley & Jensen Lawn & Leaf Bags were tough, and the seams didn't leak -- a plus when hauling wet grass clippings. You can also save as much as 35 cents per bag, compared with leading brands sold in smaller quantities. Downsides: You can buy them only at BJ's Wholesale Clubs, which are located in only 15 states. And to get the lowest price ($8.99 for 100 bags), you'll need to become a member ($40 per year).

If you want a heavy-duty lawn bag, you'll have to splurge: The thickest-ply bags, Husky Contractor CleanUp Bags, scored the highest marks in all of our durability tests; $14 for 32; at Home Depot.